Convertible securement apparatus for securing standard containers and nonstandard cargo on vehicles

ABSTRACT

Convertible securement apparatus for a flatbed vehicle such as a trailer unit. Dual purpose pedestal has a twist lock for the corner casting of a standard transportation container; and a winch for a tiedown chain for miscellaneous cargo. A special channel is fixed to the side of the vehicle bed. A hinge pin is connected to the pedestal by a narrow link and is loosely retained in an elongated hinge pin retaining space extending along the interior of the channel. The pedestal is movable fore and aft along the channel when its link is within an upwardly open, continuous groove, providing access to the elongated hinge pin retaining space. The channel has an elongated compartment below the hinge pin retaining space, separated by a wall which extends along the length of the channel, the wall having notches at a series of locations along the channel. These notches are wider than the link carried by the pedestal, thus, when the pedestal is aligned with one of the notches, it can be pivoted about the hinge pin and movable from one to the other of the following operable positions: A. A container-locking position with the pedestal seated upright on a horizontal extension of the deck of the flatbed vehicle, and with the twist lock upright to engage a container, and B. A CARGO TIEDOWN POSITION WITH THE PEDESTAL UPSIDE DOWN IN THE CHANNEL COMPARTMENT BELOW THE HINGE PIN RETAINING SPACE, AND WITH THE WINCH IN POSITION TO ENGAGE A CARGO TIEDOWN CHAIN.

United States Patent CONVERTIBLE SECUREMENT APPARATUS FOR SECURINGSTANDARD CONTAINERS AND NONS'IANDARD CARGO N VEHICLES 17 Claims, DrawingFigs,

US. Cl 296/ A, 105/366 B, 105/368 T, 105/369 A, 248/1 19 R,

248/361 A, 280/179 A, 280/D1G. 8

Int. Cl. B60p 7/08 Field of Search 296/35 A; 280/179 R, 179 A, DIG. 8;105/366 8, 368 T, 369

A; 248/1 19R, 361 R, 361 A; 214/515; 294/815 F References Cited UNITEDSTATES PATENTS Primary Emminer- Benjamin Hersh Assistant Examiner-Leslie J. Paperner Artomey-Davis, Lucas, Brewer & Brugman ABSTRACT:Convertible securement apparatus for a flatbed vehicle such as a trailerunit. Dual purpose pedestal has a twist lock for the corner casting of astandard transportation container; and a winch for a tiedown chain formiscellaneous cargo. A special channel is fixed to the side of thevehicle bed. A hinge pin is connected to the pedestal by a narrow linkand is loosely retained in an elongated hinge pin retaining spaceextending along the interior of the channel. The pedestal is movablefore and aft along the channel when its link is within an upwardly open,continuous groove, providing access to the elongated hinge pin retainingspace. The channel has an elongated compartment below the hinge pinretaining space,

separated by a wall which extends along the length of the channel, thewall having notches at a series of locations along the channel. Thesenotches are wider than the link carried by the pedestal, thus, when thepedestal is aligned with one of the notches, it can be pivoted about thehinge pin and movable from one to the other of the following operablepositions:

a. A container-locking position with the pedestal seated upright on ahorizontal extension of the deck of the flatbed vehicle, and with thetwist lock upright to engage a container, and

b. a cargo tiedown position with the pedestal upside down in 3,454,2507/1 hwi be l 6! al- 254/186 the channel compartment below the hinge pinretaining space, 3.507.226 /1 Nadherny 1 5/366 B and with the winch inposition to engage a cargo tiedown 3,508,502 4/1970 Sims 280/179 A Xchain.

50 Q n I -'rur PATENTEIJuuv 16197: 3,621 1.236

SHEET 1 [IF a INVENTORS Emil J. Hlinsky BY AHen D. Siblik 0 4 2 m, 5 {5W ATTORNE VS PATENTEBHUV 15 Ian SHEEl' 2 BF 4 INVENTORS Emil J. HlinskyAllen D. Siblik Jam, ime z W W ATTORNEY PATENIEnunv 1s nan SHEU 3 1FFig. 10

INVENTORS Emil J. Hh'nsky BY Allen D. Siblik A T TURN/Z VS Fig. 1 2

CONVERTIBLE SECUREMENT APPARATUS F OR SECURING STANDARD CONTAINERS ANDNONS'IIANDARD CARGO ON VEHICLES BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The field,of this invention is generally a releasable lock and tiedown for loadson vehicles, of the class generally associated with U.S. Pat. OfficeClassification No. 296.

The invention relates to a combination lock, and tiedown winch, for achainlike element, which is convertible to secure either standardtransportation containers, or miscellaneous nonstandard cargo, or acombination of both. i

It is customary to transport loads on ships, railway cars and truck ortrailer units, in closed containers which are of standard dimensions,for example, multiples of feet long, up to about 40 feet. Thesecontainers are customarily transported on vehicles such as trailer unitswhich are 40 feet long so that any combination of containers totaling 40feet in length can be transported on a single vehicle. These containersare releasably attached to outriggers on the vehicle bed or chassis, orto edges of the vehicle deck, by releasable locking means which havebeen standardized for engagement with standard fittings built into thecorners of the container. The containers are customarily loaded at thepoint of origin and are not unloaded until they reach their ultimatedestination. They have been standardized to such an extent that the samecontainers may be mounted on railroad cars, ships, trucks or trailers,so the cargo within a container can be shipped without disturbing theoriginal packing at any intermediate or transfer point.

Where a trailer unit must carry any combination of IO-, or 30-footcontainers, or a single 40-foot container, each trailer unit must have asufficient number of locking devices to secure as many as four 10-footcontainers. This requires eight special corner locks along each side ofthe deck to fasten the total of 16 corners on the four containers.

In addition to the standardized containers referred to above, much cargois freight of nonstandard dimensions, such as crates, pallets of lumber,pipe assemblies, cylindrical objects, farm and industrial machinery, andmiscellaneous objects of every size and shape. These cannot be fastenedby the special locking devices provided for the standardized containers.Federal Highway Administration regulations require at least one tiedowndevice, including a 16,200-pound test chain, for each 10 feet of loadlength ofcargo on a flatbed truck or trailer.

Conventional locking devices for standard containers often includelocking elements which project at all times above the vehicle deck.These interfere with use of the vehicle for transporting nonstandardcargo which cannot be held by the conventional locking elements.Furthermore, the locking elements are often fixed at such locations thatthey cannot handle special or semistandard container lengths such as 24feet, 30 feet and 35 feet. Conventional locking elements are not readilyconvertible to chain tiedown purposes and for this reason a single setof standard container-locking devices on a flatdeck truck or trailer isnot readily convertible to multipurpose use, where they may securestandard containers on one trip, or nonstandard cargo on another trip,or a combination of standard containers and nonstandard cargo on stillanother trip.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is therefore a general object of the presentinvention to provide securement apparatus for the side of a vehicle bedor deck, which is adjustable for use at various locations along the bedand is effective either to secure standard containers or nonstandardcargo.

In particular, it is an object of the present invention to provide apedestal which supports both a container lock and a cargo tiedown winch,the pedestal being retained by a hinge pin in a slideway formed in aspecial channel fixed, or built into, the side of the vehicle bed, thepedestal being pivotable about its hinge pin between an upright positionon the channel where the lock is engageable with a transportationcontainer,

and further being pivotable to an inverted position within a sidecompartment in the channel where the winch can tension a chain or thelike, extending from cargo on the bed.

Another object is the provision of a subassembly, including a specialchannel section and pedestal which can be fixed to the side of anexisting trailer unit to adapt it to carry out the principles of thepresent invention.

Another object is to provide a seclurement pedestal which is movablealong the deck for use in an upright position to secure a container, andin an inverted position to secure cargo. and a unique arrangement forlocking the pedestal against movement along the bed in either of itsupright or inverted operable positions.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Other objects and advantages of theinvention will be apparent from the following description taken inconnection with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. I is a schematic side elevation of a trailer unit carrying a singlestandard container (shown in broken lines) whose length equals that ofthe trailer unit;

FIG. 2 is a schematic top view of the trailer unit of FIG. I, with thecontainer removed from it, and showing generally the arrangement oflocking devices for a trailer unit which is adapted to securecombinations of standard containers having lengths in multiples of 10feet long;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged, fragmentary, left-end view of FIG. 1, showing astandard container locked in place;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the portion of the structure shown inFIG. 3, in unlocked position, and with the container lifted away fromthe trailer unit to better illustrate the parts;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a securement pedestal housing, inuprightposition, ready for engagement with a container comer casting;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary view of FIG. 5 with the T-head rotated to lockedposition;

FIG. 7 is a vertical sectional view of FIG. line 7-7;

FIG. 8 is a sectional view of FIG. 7 taken along the line 8- 3 takenalong the FIG. 9 is a view similar to FIG. 7 showing the securementpedestal housing being swung, downward, into its inverted position;

FIG. I0 is a view similar to FIG. 9 but showing the securement pedestalhousing in its fully inverted position, with its winch in position toengage a cargo tiedown chain, or the like;

FIG. 11 is a view of FIG. 10 taken along the line Ill-ll with certainparts cut away;

FIG. I2 is a top view of FIG. flange removed for clarity;

FIG. 13 is a vertical cross-sectional, partly cut away, view of FIG. I2taken approximately on the line 13-13;

FIG. 14 is a vertical sectional view of FIG. 13 line 14-14; and

FIG. 15 is a side view of the trailer unit of FIG. I, with thesecurement pedestal housing converted to chain tiedown (as shown inFIGS. III-l4) illustrating the securement of nonstandard cargo, namely,crates.

II with a portion of the top taken along DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERREDEMBODIMENT Referring now to FIGS. I and 2, a trailer unit 20 isillustrated having a length of 40 feet. A single, elongated standardcontainer 22, which also has a length of 40 feet, is carried by the bedor deck 24 of the trailer unit.

Any group of standard containers which have lengths in multiples of 10feet may be secured in end-to-end relation up to a total length of 40feet on the trailer unit. For example, a trailer unit 20, which itselfis 40 feet long, may carry one 40- foot container, two 20-footcontainers, four 10-foot containers or various combinations thereof.

Refer to FIG. 9. A vehicle bed 24 may have as part of its mainstructural assembly, an I-beam 26 extending along each side. The l-beammay be of usual construction, having a vertical web 28 and top andbottom flanges 30, 32.

The upper, horizontal, overhanging, extension, or ledge 30a of flange30, comprises an important part of the present invention, which isalready provided on vehicles having such I-beam side members. For othertypes of vehicles, an equivalent of the ledge 30a should be provided.

The convertible securement apparatus of the present invention compriseschannel means generally designated 34. In the embodiment illustrated,this includes the upper, outer portions of the I-team 26 and the channelsection 36. The latter has a vertical web 38 with upper and lower,outwardly extending flanges 40 and 42, respectively, having upper andlower upstanding marginal walls 44 and 46. Lower flange 42 is wider thanupper flange 40 to accommodate the winch means to be described. As bestshown in FIG. 7, a spacer and reinforcing member 48 is affixed as bywelding, between the upper flange of the I-beam 26 and upper flange 40of channel section 36. Channel section 36 and I-beam 26 may be assembledas by welding, at 50 and 52.

The upper flange 40 and its marginal wall extension 44 comprise,together, a wall which is spaced below and beyond the margin 54 of thehorizontal ledge 30a, thereby defining an elongated hinge pin retainingspace 56 which is bounded by the upper portion of web 28, wall 44,flange 40, and ledge 30a. An upwardly open, continuous groove 58,between the margin 54 and the wall 44, extends for the entire length ofthe channel means 34 and provides continuous access to the hinge pinretaining space 56. The hinge pin which is retained in this space willbe described subsequently.

Refer to FIGS. and-7. A pedestal 60 is mounted on the channel means 34for fore-and-aft movement to the position required, and is pivotablyadjustable between upright and inverted positions, depending on the kindof load to be secured on the deck.

,The pedestal comprises a housing generally designated 62, which in thepresent case is made of individual steel plates fabricated to suitableshape and welded together into one unitary assembly. A solid casting orother suitable fabrication, may be used to provide equivalent .housing.The housing will be described with parts designated as upper" or lower,"etc., with reference to FIGS. 5, 6 and 7, which, for consistency, willbe referred to as the upright position. The inverted position is thatshown in FIGS. 10, 13 and 14.

The housing 62 comprises upper and lower horizontal plates 64, 66. Theseare spaced apart and held separated by sidewalls 68 and 70, and anintermediate parallel wall 72. End walls 74 and 76 (FIG. 13) close thefore-and-aft ends of the housing. End wall 76 is formed with an aperture78.

At their opposite ends, as best shown in FIG. 5 and FIG. 13, walls 68,70 have a pair of apertured cars 80, 82 pivotably supporting a hinged,stabilizing prop 84. Similarly, another hinged stabilizing prop 86 ispivoted between cars 88, 90 on the other end of the housing. As shown inFIGS. and 11, when the props 84, 86 are in their vertical positions,they jack the baseplate 66 up against the underside of the upper flange40, and engage the inner surface of the lower, upstanding marginal wall46 to hold the pedestal stably in place.

Refer now to FIGS. 3 and 4, where the standardized comer casting 92 fora transportation container is shown. Such a comer casting, or fitting,92 is provided at each lower comer of a container. It is a hollow,generally cubical, casting, or fitting, having end and side openings 94,96, and an elongated bottom slot 98. The shape, size and placement ofall four slots 98 at the comers of a standard container comply withindustry specifications for each special length of container. The slotis defined by two generally straight, parallel, sidewalls and twoslightly arcuate end walls. It is through these slots 98 that thelocking means of the present invention pass and interlock when astandard transportation container such as that numbered 22, is mountedon a vehicle.

Each pedestal 60 includes locking means 100, which is engageable with aslot 98 in one of the corner castings 92. The

locking means 100 includes a bearing boss I02 and a T-head- I04 mountedatop a shank 106, which is rotatably journaled within a bore 108 in thebearing boss 102, and which has a lower portion extending down betweenvertical plates 70 and 72. The bottom of theshank I06 has an axialcounterbore 110 with compression spring 122 seated within it and bearingagainst the top of baseplate 64. This biases the shank 106 in an upwarddirection and tends to stabilize the shank in a locked (FIG. 6) orunlocked (FIG. 5) position, with the handle 114 on one side or the otherof the downwardly projecting detent 116(FIG. 3) in the handle slot 118.

Thus, when the pedestal 60 is in upright position, and the T- head 104is unlocked, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the container comer casting 92can be lowered onto the locking means 100, and then the T-head I04rotated to locked position by the handle 114, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7.

A chain tiedown winch 119, for nonstandard or miscellaneous cargotiedown purposes, is journaled for rotation between plates 68 and 72.This may, for example, be a unit similar to that shown in Schwiebert, etal., US. Pat. No. 3,454,260 and will be briefly described as follows.

A winch drum is journaled for winding between plates 68 and 72, forexample, by integral axle portion 131, extending into accommodatingopenings in the walls 68, 72. The winch drum 130 includes a radial slot132 for the first link of a chain 126. The first link is held in placeby a bolt 1310 in cross-bore 133. A socket 134 is provided in theexterior axle portion 131 for coupling reception with a ratchet wrenchor power tool. Guide grooves 136, etc., extend'centrally around theperiphery of the drum 130 and provide nesting reception for links of thechain 136 used to secure the crates 122, for example, in FIG. 15.

A ratchet wheel I40, integral with the drum I30, and gravity-biased pawl142, enable the chain 126 to be tightened and held taut to secure cargo.

The pedestal 60 has hinge pin means 144 in spaced parallel relationshipwith the lower side of the base 66 (FIGS. 5 and 7) and is offset towardthe outer edge thereof. The two areconnected by a relatively narrow link146. The hinge pin means comprises a pair of axially aligned, circular,rod sections 148, having a semicircular notch at their midsection. Asshown in FIG. 7, a gusset 152 is provided at intervals along the lengthof the hinge pin retaining space 56 for engaging the slot 150 when thepedestal is in its upright position (FIG. 7). The hinge pin means isretained within the space 56 by reason of the fact that the access slot58 is narrower than the diameter of the pins 148.

To enable the pedestal 60 to be'pivoted readily between upright andinverted operative positions, a slot 154 is provided in the wall meanswhich separates the hinge pin retaining space 56 from the lowercompartment 156 within the channel section 36. Specifically, this groove154 is somewhat wider than the link 146 to allow the latter to passthrough it, and the groove extends from the upper upstanding marginalwall 44 into the upper flange 40, terminating just short of the web 38,all as shown in FIG. 9.

Use and operation of the convertible pedestal 60 will now be described.First, for securement of a standard container 22; and second, forsecurement of nonstandard or miscellaneous cargo such as the crates I22.

To secure the 40-foot container 22, the four pedestals 60 at the fourextreme corners of the vehicle bed 24 will be raised to their uprightposition as shown in FIGS. 4, 5 and 7. These will be stabilized againstfore-and-aft movement by engagement of pedestal notches 150 withcorresponding edges 158 of gussets 152 (FIG. 7). The container 22 willthen be lowered so that all four comer castings 92 are seated on the toppedestal plate 64, as shown in broken lines in FIG. 7. By then swingingthe respective handles 114 clockwise (looking down) 90, past the detent116, the T-head 104 will be moved to its locked position, as shown inFIGS. 6 and 7, thereby engaging the bottom plate I62 of the cornercasting 92. This locks it until it arrives at its destination when itcan be released by swinging all four handles 1 14 back to the unlockedposition shown in FIG. 5.

on each side of the trailer unit will FIG. 15. The chains 126 will betrained across the crates and each tensioned by turning the drums 130 onboth sides of the trailerunit, if necessary. Note that the chain inFIGS. I3 and groove I54. The resulting Now consider the loading of fourcrates 122, as shown in FIG. 15.

All pedestals 60, which are in their upper operative position on theledge 36a, are released from the gusset I52 by leftwise movement (FIG.7) and then moving the pedestal along the groove 58 until it is alignedwith the particular groove 154, which places it at the properfore-and-aft position along the channelsection 36. It is then pivoteddownward through the groove 1154i. The lower, upstanding,

marginal wall 46 has a cutout 164 (FIGS. 9, l0 and II) which allows thebearing boss 102 and T-head I04 clearance to swing into the compartmentI56. As shown in FIG. 9, the stabilizing props 84, 86 will be swungoutward to clear the upper edge of wall 46.

The inverted operative position for, chain tiedown is shown in FIGS.MLM. will be understood that all eight pedestals be in the positionshown in H4 is trained upward through the locking engagement between thechain and the flange 40 and all 1154 stabilize the pedestals againstfore-and-aft movement in this position.

The pivoted props 84, 86 have sufficient length that, when I they are invertical position, they engage the floor (lower flange) 42 of channelsection 36, and hold the pedestal up with its inverted base 66 upadjacentthe underside of the flange 40 (FIGS. 10, I3 and 1 3).

When the props 84, 86 are in their jacking or vertical positions, theywill be blocked against outward movement by the portions of the marginalwall 46 on both sides of the cutout I64; see FIG. Ill. Thisneutralizesthe torque reaction from the chain which exerts a clockwise torquereaction about the hinge pin means 144; see FIG. 14.

As described in the introduction, the invention is broadly applicable totwo kinds of vehicles: l Those which already havea reinforcing I-beam 26running along the sides of their decks, in which case only the channelsection 36 and pedestals 60 and chain 126 need be provided to practicethe invention; and (2) those which require the entire assembly whosecross section is shown in FIG. 9.

By the present invention, a completely new system of securement has beenprovided in which one vehicle can handle all types of loads, includingstandard containers and nonstandard cargo. An ordinary flatbed traile'rmay be readily adapted by attachment of channel sections 36, with orwithout some equivalent of the l-beam 26, as mentioned above. A truck ortrailer used to carry a container load in one direction may carry lumberor nonstandard lading on the return and thus never needs to double backempty.

An important feature of the system is the special convertible pedestal60, having the locking means 100 and winch means 119 built into it andreadily pivotable between upright and inverted positions for alternativeuse, either of the twist lock 100 or the winch 119. This eliminates allload-binder hardware which otherwise would have to be provided. Thepedestals with twist lock means I00, winch means 119, and chains 126with all necessary hooks and compression fittings, may readily be storedin the channel compartment I56 for immediate use when the particularload requires it. An end plate 170 (FIG. 41) prevents inadvertent lossof these components.

Loads may be carried both ways on many more runs than is now possiblewith conventional equipment. A far better return is possible for theequipment investment. And a fleet of ordinary flatbeds becomes aversatile fleet of container transporters as well.

The securement system channel section 36, with or without the l-beam 26,may replace a part of the existing structure in a truck or trailer unit,in a way which may actually increase strength anddecrease dead weight.

, The entire system is engineered for these advantages:

Faster loading and unloading; more different kinds of loads than ispossible with conventional equipment; and much safer transit. Stowage ofload binder is so easy that it is almost automatic. On a typical trailerunit, eight pedestal/winch units 60 may be used in the manner described,or more, or less, on each side of the deck, as is required by the usecontemplated for the equipment.

An important part of the part of the present invention, enabling it tofunction in the manner described, is the special, elongated channelsection 36, with the l-beam 26 which supports the ledge 30a; or thechannel section 36 alone, where it is adapted to fit the side of avehicle already having as part of its structure some equivalent of thel-beam 26 or ledge 30a. This provides the seat on the ledge 30a for thepedestal in upright position, the elongated hinge pin retaining space56, the compartment I56 in which the pedestal is inverted inwinch-operable position; and the apertured wall 40, 44 which separatesthe space 56 and compartment I56 while enabling the pedestal to pivotbetween upright and inverted positions.

We claim as our invention:

ll. Convertible securement apparatus for a flatbed vehicle comprising:

elongated channel means extending along one side of the vehicle bedincluding a horizontal ledge, a wall spaced below the ledge to define anelongated hinge pin retaining space therebetween and an upwardly opencontinuous groove along the margin of the ledge providing access to saidspace, and an elongated compartment below the wall;

a pedestal with a base having on one side thereof lock means engageablewith a corner casting of a standard cargo container and winch meansalternatively engageable with a chainlike cargo tiedown element;

said pedestal having hinge pin means in spaced parallel relationshipwith the side of the base opposite the lock means, and a relativelynarrow link interconnecting the base and hinge pin means;

said pedestal and channel means being assembled with the hinge pin meansloosely retained in said hinge retaining space;

said wall having a notch wider than said link, whereby when they arealigned, said pedestal is movable between the following twoalternatively operable positions:

a. A container-locking position with said pedestal seated upright onsaid ledge while said lock means is upright on the base and adapted toengage a container, and

b. a cargo tiedown position with said pedestal inverted below said wallwhile said lock :means is inverted below the base, in said compartment,and said winch means is adapted to engage a flexible cargo tiedownelement extending from cargo on the bed.

2. Convertible securement apparatus according to claim 1 in which saidhorizontal ledge is substantially a horizontal continuation of the top,deck surface of the vehicle bed.

3. Convertible securement apparatus according to claim I in which saidchannel means has a floor and an upstanding marginal side flangedefining said compartment below said notched wall, and said upstandingmarginal side flange has an indentation aligned with each of saidnotches to provide clearance for pivoting said pedestal into and out ofsaid compartment.

4. Convertible securement apparatus according to claim 1 in which thehinge pin is discontinuous and comprises two axially aligned pinportions with overall length sufficient to span said notch to providepivotal support for the pedestal when being moved between its said twooperable positions.

5. Convertible securement apparatus according to claim I in whichinterlocking means between the channel and the pedestal is effective tolock the pedestal against movement along the bed when the pedestal is inits said container-locking position.

6. Convertible securement apparatus according to claim I in which aflexible element may be trained from the winch means to cargo on thebed, through said notch, to lock the pedestal against movement along thebed when the pedestal is in its said cargo tiedown position.

7. Convertible securement apparatus according to claim 1 in which saidchannel means includes a vertical web with top and bottom horizontalflanges, each flange having a respective upstanding marginal sideflange, said wall spaced below the ledge comprising said top horizontalflange and its respective upstanding marginal side flange, each of saidnotches extending from said top horizontal flange into and through saidrespective upstanding marginal side flange.

8. Convertible securement apparatus according to claim 1 in which saidhinge pin means has a greater cross-sectional dimension than the widthof said groove to retain said hinge pin means within said hinge pinretaining space.

9. Convr. tible securement apparatus according to claim 1 in which thepedestal link extends through the upwardly open continuous groove in oneof said operable positions to enable the pedestal to be movedfore-and-aft along the channel means.

10. Convertible securement apparatus according to claim 1 in which saidchannel means has a floor spaced below said wall to define the bottom ofsaid compartment, and said pedestal has a pair of fore-and-aft pivotalprop members which are pivotable to engage the floor and hold thepedestal base upward against the underside of said wall when thepedestal is in one of its said cargo tiedown positions.

ll. Convertible securement apparatus according to claim 10 in which saidfloor has an upstanding marginal wall and said pivotal prop members areengageable with said upstanding marginal wall to stabilize the pedestalagainst swinging movement about said hinge in response to tightening thewinch means.

12. Convertible securement apparatus for attachment to the side of aflatbed vehicle having an elongated, overhanging, horizontal ledgeextending along said bed, comprising:

elongated channel means having an upright web with upper and lowerhorizontal flanges having upper and lower upstanding marginal wallsrespectively;

' said channel means being adapted to be fixed to the side of suchflatbed vehicle with the upper horizontal flange spaced below said ledgeto define a hinge pin retaining space and with the upper upstandingmarginal wall spaced outwardly from the margin of the ledge to define anupwardly open groove providing access to said hinge pin retaining space;pedestal with a base having on one side thereof lock means engageablewith a comer casting of a standard cargo container and winch meansalternatively engageable with a flexible cargo tiedown element;

said pedestal having hinge pin means in spaced parallel relationshipwith the opposite side of the base, and a relatively narrow linkinterconnecting the base and hinge pin means;

said pedestal adapted to be assembled, when said channel is fixed to theside of the vehicle as above, with the hinge pin means loosely retainedin said hinge pin retaining space;

said upper marginal wall and upper horizontal flange having, atintervals therealong, notches each wider than said link, whereby, whenthe link is aligned with one of said notches, and the channel is fixedto the vehicle as above,

the link can pass through the notch enabling the pedestal to bepivotable movable between the following two alternatively operablepositions:

a. a container-locking position with said base seated upright on saidledge and said lock means upright on said base and adapted to engage acontainer, and

b. a cargo tiedown position with said base inverted below said wall in acompartment between the upper and lower horizontal flanges, and saidwinch means is engageable with a flexible cargo tiedown elementextending from cargo on the bed.

13. Convertible securement apparatus for a flatbed vehicle comprising:

an elongated horizontal ledge extending from one side of the bed;

a first elongated angle beam having a first horizontal web extendingoutwardly from the side of the bed and spaced below and parallel to saidledge. and having a first vertical flange extending upwardly therefromand spaced outwardly from the outer edge of said horizontal ledge;

a second elongated angle beam having a second horizontal web spacedbelow and parallel to the first horizontal web and having a secondvertical flange extending upwardly therefrom and spaced outwardly fromsaid first vertical flange;

a pedestal housing having, on the obverse side thereof, twist lock meansengageable with a standard comer casting of a standard cargo container,and winch means engageable with a flexible cargo tiedown element; g

said pedestal housing having a hinge pin in spaced parallel relationshipwith the opposite side thereof, anda link connecting said housing andhinge pin;

the first elongated angle beam having at intervals therealong a notchwider than said arm extending from said first vertical flange into saidfirst horizontal web;

said pedestal having its hinge pin loosely pivoted in the space betweensaid ledge and said first horizontal web and movable between twooperative positions as follows: a. a container locking position withsaid base atop said ledge and said twist lock means upright,

b. a cargo tiedown position with said base beneath said first horizontalweb and said winch means aligned generally between spaced verticalplanes including said first and second vertical flanges; and

said pedestal being pivotable to swing said link through said notch toenable said pedestal to pivot between said two operative positions.

14. In convertible securement apparatus for the sideof a vehicle bed,elongated channel means for a container and cargo-supporting pedestalhaving a crow section comprising:

a vertical web attachable to the side of the bed;

top and bottom horizontal flanges extending in the same direction fromsaid web and bed when attached thereto, the bottom horizontal flangebeing wider than the top horizontal flange for supporting a pedestalcarrying a winch;

said bottom horizontal flange having an upstanding marginal side flange;

said top horizontal flange having an upstanding marginal side flange; Y

said upstanding marginal side flange on the bottom horizontal flangehaving an upper edge terminating below the level of the top horizontalflange thereby defining a continuous horizontally extending access slottherebetween;

said top horizontal flange and its corresponding upstanding marginalside flange having notches spaced at intervals therealong;

said web, top horizontal flange, bottom horizontal flange, and marginalside flange .on the latter defining an internal compartment for meanscomprising a hinge pin on a supporting pedestal which depend from saidtop horizontal flange within one of said notches.

15. In convertible securement apparatus, the combination of claim 14 inwhich the channel means includes a horizontal ledge above the tophorizontal flange, said ledge being spaced above said top horizontalflange to define an elongated hinge pin retaining space therebetween,and said ledge terminating short of said upstanding marginal side flangeto define an elongated access groove therebetween.

16. In convertible securement apparatus, the combination of claim 15 inwhich the ledge is a portion of a beam separate from said channel meansand attachable thereto.

17. In convertible securement apparatus, the combination of claim 15 inwhich the ledge is part of the side portion of a vehicle to which thechannel means is attachable.

l i i 4 i

1. Convertible securement apparatus for a flatbed vehicle comprising:elongated channel means extending along one side of the vehicle bedincluding a horizontal ledge, a wall spaced below the ledge to define anelongated hinge pin retaining space therebetween and an upwardly opencontinuous groove along the margin of the ledge providing access to saidspace, and an elongated compartment below the wall; a pedestal with abase having on one side thereof lock means engageable with a cornercasting of a standard cargo container and winch means alternativelyengageable with a chainlike cargo tiedown element; said pedestal havinghinge pin means in spaced parallel relationship with the side of thebase opposite the lock means, and a relatively narrow linkinterconnecting the base and hinge pin means; said pedestal and channelmeans being assembled with the hinge pin means loosely retained in saidhinge retaining space; said wall having a notch wider than said link,whereby when they are aligned, said pedestal is movable between thefollowing two alternatively operable positions: a. a container-lockingposition with said pedestal seated upright on said ledge while said lockmeans is upright on the base and adapted to engage a container, and b. acargo tiedown position with said pedestal inverted below said wall whilesaid lock means is inverted below the base, in said compartment, andsaid winch means is adapted to engage a flexible cargo tiedown elementextending from cargo on the bed.
 2. Convertible securement apparatusaccording to claim 1 in which said horizontal ledge is substantially ahorizontal continuation of the top, deck surface of the vehicle bed. 3.Convertible securement apparatus according to claim 1 in which saidchannel means has a floor and an upstanding marginal side flangedefining said compartment below said notched wall, and said upstandingmarginal side flange has an indentation aligned with each of saidnotches to provide clearance for pivoting said pedestal into and out ofsaid compartment.
 4. Convertible securement apparatus according to claim1 in which the hinge pin is discontinuous and comprises two axiallyaligned pin portions with overall length sufficient to span said notchto provide pivotal support for the pedestal when being moved between itssaid two operable positions.
 5. Convertible securement apparatusaccording to claim 1 in which interlocking means between the channel andthe pedestal is effective to lock the pedestal against movement alongthe bed when the pedestal is in its said container-locking position. 6.Convertible securement apparatus according to claim 1 in which aflexible element may be trained from the winch means to cargo on thebed, through said notch, to lock the pedestal against movement along thebed when the pedestal is in its said cargo tiedown position. 7.Convertible securement apparatus according to claim 1 in which saidchannel means includes a vertical web with top and bottom horizontalflanges, each flange having a respective upstanding marginal sideflange, said wall spaced below the ledge comprising said top horizontalflange and its respective upstanding marginal side flange, each of saidnotches extending from said top horizontal flange into and through saidrespective upstanding marginal side flange.
 8. Convertible securementapparatus according to claim 1 in which said hinge pin means has agreater cross-sectional dimension than the width of said groove toretain said hinge pin means within said hinge pin retaining space. 9.Convertible securement apparatus according to claim 1 in which thepedestal link extends through the upwardly open continuous groove in oneof said operable positions to enable the pedestal to be moved fore andaft along the channel means.
 10. Convertible securement apparatusaccording to claim 1 in which said channel means has a floor spacedbelow sAid wall to define the bottom of said compartment, and saidpedestal has a pair of fore-and-aft pivotal prop members which arepivotable to engage the floor and hold the pedestal base upward againstthe underside of said wall when the pedestal is in one of its said cargotiedown positions.
 11. Convertible securement apparatus according toclaim 10 in which said floor has an upstanding marginal wall and saidpivotal prop members are engageable with said upstanding marginal wallto stabilize the pedestal against swinging movement about said hinge inresponse to tightening the winch means.
 12. Convertible securementapparatus for attachment to the side of a flatbed vehicle having anelongated, overhanging, horizontal ledge extending along said bed,comprising: elongated channel means having an upright web with upper andlower horizontal flanges having upper and lower upstanding marginalwalls respectively; said channel means being adapted to be fixed to theside of such flatbed vehicle with the upper horizontal flange spacedbelow said ledge to define a hinge pin retaining space and with theupper upstanding marginal wall spaced outwardly from the margin of theledge to define an upwardly open groove providing access to said hingepin retaining space; a pedestal with a base having on one side thereoflock means engageable with a corner casting of a standard cargocontainer and winch means alternatively engageable with a flexible cargotiedown element; said pedestal having hinge pin means in spaced parallelrelationship with the opposite side of the base, and a relatively narrowlink interconnecting the base and hinge pin means; said pedestal adaptedto be assembled, when said channel is fixed to the side of the vehicleas above, with the hinge pin means loosely retained in said hinge pinretaining space; said upper marginal wall and upper horizontal flangehaving, at intervals therealong, notches each wider than said link,whereby, when the link is aligned with one of said notches, and thechannel is fixed to the vehicle as above, the link can pass through thenotch enabling the pedestal to be pivotable movable between thefollowing two alternatively operable positions: a. a container-lockingposition with said base seated upright on said ledge and said lock meansupright on said base and adapted to engage a container, and b. a cargotiedown position with said base inverted below said wall in acompartment between the upper and lower horizontal flanges, and saidwinch means is engageable with a flexible cargo tiedown elementextending from cargo on the bed.
 13. Convertible securement apparatusfor a flatbed vehicle comprising: an elongated horizontal ledgeextending from one side of the bed; a first elongated angle beam havinga first horizontal web extending outwardly from the side of the bed andspaced below and parallel to said ledge, and having a first verticalflange extending upwardly therefrom and spaced outwardly from the outeredge of said horizontal ledge; a second elongated angle beam having asecond horizontal web spaced below and parallel to the first horizontalweb and having a second vertical flange extending upwardly therefrom andspaced outwardly from said first vertical flange; a pedestal housinghaving, on the obverse side thereof, twist lock means engageable with astandard corner casting of a standard cargo container, and winch meansengageable with a flexible cargo tiedown element; said pedestal housinghaving a hinge pin in spaced parallel relationship with the oppositeside thereof, and a link connecting said housing and hinge pin; thefirst elongated angle beam having at intervals therealong a notch widerthan said arm extending from said first vertical flange into said firsthorizontal web; said pedestal having its hinge pin loosely pivoted inthe space between said ledge and said first horizontal web and movablebetween two operative positions as follows: a. a conTainer lockingposition with said base atop said ledge and said twist lock meansupright, b. a cargo tiedown position with said base beneath said firsthorizontal web and said winch means aligned generally between spacedvertical planes including said first and second vertical flanges; andsaid pedestal being pivotable to swing said link through said notch toenable said pedestal to pivot between said two operative positions. 14.In convertible securement apparatus for the side of a vehicle bed,elongated channel means for a container and cargo-supporting pedestalhaving a cross section comprising: a vertical web attachable to the sideof the bed; top and bottom horizontal flanges extending in the samedirection from said web and bed when attached thereto, the bottomhorizontal flange being wider than the top horizontal flange forsupporting a pedestal carrying a winch; said bottom horizontal flangehaving an upstanding marginal side flange; said top horizontal flangehaving an upstanding marginal side flange; said upstanding marginal sideflange on the bottom horizontal flange having an upper edge terminatingbelow the level of the top horizontal flange thereby defining acontinuous horizontally extending access slot therebetween; said tophorizontal flange and its corresponding upstanding marginal side flangehaving notches spaced at intervals therealong; said web, top horizontalflange, bottom horizontal flange, and marginal side flange on the latterdefining an internal compartment for means comprising a hinge pin on asupporting pedestal which depend from said top horizontal flange withinone of said notches.
 15. In convertible securement apparatus, thecombination of claim 14 in which the channel means includes a horizontalledge above the top horizontal flange, said ledge being spaced abovesaid top horizontal flange to define an elongated hinge pin retainingspace therebetween, and said ledge terminating short of said upstandingmarginal side flange to define an elongated access groove therebetween.16. In convertible securement apparatus, the combination of claim 15 inwhich the ledge is a portion of a beam separate from said channel meansand attachable thereto.
 17. In convertible securement apparatus, thecombination of claim 15 in which the ledge is part of the side portionof a vehicle to which the channel means is attachable.